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Trump Withdraws Jared Isaacman’s NASA Nomination

Deep cuts to NASA’s 2026 funding intensify the search for a new administrator to secure U.S. space priorities.

Workers on scaffolding repaint the NASA logo at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on May 20, 2020.
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Overview

  • President Trump cited a “thorough review of prior associations” when pulling Isaacman’s nomination and pledged to name a replacement aligned with his America First space agenda.
  • Isaacman had won a 19-9 bipartisan vote in the Senate Commerce Committee but was withdrawn days before the full Senate confirmation vote.
  • Reports attribute the decision to Isaacman’s past donations to Democrats and internal tensions following Elon Musk’s exit from the White House.
  • Former Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast has emerged as the leading contender to lead NASA under the administration’s priorities.
  • The administration’s proposed $6 billion, 24 percent cut to NASA’s 2026 budget threatens key science and exploration programs and is driving debate over reliance on commercial launch systems.